As a Physio at Beyogalates and Wellbeing Consultant, I’m often asked about strategies to maintain vitality and optimize health as we age. While a holistic approach encompassing movement, nutrition, and mental well-being is always paramount, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significant role hormones play, particularly estrogen for women. Estrogen, often associated primarily with reproduction, is a powerful hormone with far-reaching effects throughout the body. As women approach and navigate menopause, the natural decline in estrogen levels can bring about a cascade of changes that impact various systems, including skin, bones, and cardiovascular health.
Understanding how estrogen contributes to healthy aging can empower you to make informed decisions about your well-being.
Recently there has been even more Hype about oestrogen due to some new ground breaking research…”The Monash University team found it influences levels of a natural protein that “shields” the hearts in those with high blood pressure from severe damage. In a pre-clinical study, the Victorian scientists found that oestrogen boosts the levels of a protein called annexin-Al, also known as nature’s inflammation healer. They believe that this protein may hold the key to preventing or reversing the progression of cardiovascular disease…”The Age
Estrogen and Aging: More Than Just Skin Deep
As I am post menopausal and in my late fifties I have noticed the viable changes in the elasticity and firmness of my skin. Arms, torso and face particularly! Also thinning hair!
When we think of aging, visible changes like wrinkles and reduced skin elasticity often come to mind.
*Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining youthful skin. Estrogen stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, the structural protein that keeps your skin firm, plump, and less prone to wrinkles. A decline in estrogen leads to a decrease in collagen, contributing to thinning skin and a loss of elasticity.
* Enhancing Hydration and Elasticity: Estrogen helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to better hydration and overall suppleness. It also supports the elastin fibres, which are vital for skin’s ability to “bounce back.”
* Promoting Wound Healing: Studies show that estrogen can accelerate the healing of skin injuries, highlighting its role in cellular repair and regeneration.
* Supporting Hair Health: Estrogen also plays a role in supporting healthy hair follicles and regular hair growth cycles.
While topical estrogen treatments can directly benefit the skin, systemic estrogen therapy (often referred to as Menopausal Hormone Therapy or MHT) offers broader benefits that extend beyond aesthetics, impacting bone density and overall tissue health.
Protecting Your Heart: Estrogen’s Cardiovascular Connection
Heart disease remains a leading health concern for women, and the risk significantly increases after menopause. Estrogen offers a protective effect on the cardiovascular system through several mechanisms:
* Cholesterol Management:
Estrogen positively influences cholesterol profiles by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol, and decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. This favorable shift helps reduce the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
* Vascular Elasticity:
Estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible and dilated, which can contribute to healthy blood pressure and improved blood flow. It does this by influencing the production of nitric oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilator.
* Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Estrogen has systemic anti-inflammatory effects, helping to suppress substances that can damage blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
* Antioxidant Activity:
Estrogen can reduce oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system by helping to neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to disease.
The Specific Proteins: Estrogen Receptors (ERs)
So, how does estrogen exert these powerful effects?
It’s primarily through its interaction with specific proteins known as estrogen receptors (ERs). These receptors are found in cells throughout the body, including skin, bone, heart, brain and in various tissues, including the uterus, breast tissue, and hypothalamus
When estrogen binds to these receptors, it triggers a cascade of cellular events. This can involve the estrogen-receptor complex moving into the cell’s nucleus essentially “turning on” or “turning off” certain genes that regulate physiological responses. And influence s cell function. These intricate interactions enable estrogen to promote collagen synthesis, modulates lipid metabolism, influences vascular function, and provides its overall protective benefits.
Can I boost my estrogen through my diet
It is thought you may also be able to improve your estrogen levels naturally, there are several ways you may be able to boost it naturally. Many foods contain phytoestrogens, which are naturally occurring plant compounds that function in a similar way to estrogen. They are also found in some herbal remedies.
Foods include;
Soy products
Legumes
Flaxseeds
Dark chocolate
However, more thorough research is needed to understand the role that phytoestrogens and other supplements play in estrogen balance.
The microbes that live in your gut play a role in how well the body can utilise phytoestrogens, and the gut biome can also influence your estrogen production levels. Therefore I tell all of my clients that looking after your gut health has far reaching health benefits, whatever stage of life we’re at!
Is Estrogen Therapy Right for You?
While the benefits of estrogen in healthy aging are compelling, it’s crucial to remember that estrogen therapy is a personalized medical decision. As a Physiotherapist and Wellbeing Consultant, I can highlight the physiological advantages and how it can support your overall well-being and active lifestyle. However, it is essential to have an in-depth discussion with your medical doctor or a menopause specialist to determine if estrogen therapy is appropriate for you, considering your individual health history, risk factors, and symptoms.
My role is to help you understand the foundational elements of healthy aging and empower you with knowledge to have informed conversations with your healthcare providers. By understanding the multifaceted benefits of estrogen, especially how it supports your skin and heart, you’re better equipped to explore all available options for thriving as you age.
See you on the mat,
Lisa x
